Dandelion Jelly

1. Rinse the dandelions quickly in cold water and snip off the stems and green collars under the blossoms. Boil the petals in 2 quarts (8 cups) of water for 3 minutes. Cool and strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing the petals with your fingers to extract all the juice.
2. Measure 3 cups of the dandelion liquid and place in a large stainless-steel saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 package of powdered fruit pectin (1 ¾ ounces). Bring the mixture to a boil. Add 5 ½ cups of sugar, stirring to mix well. Continue stirring, and boil the mixture for 2-½ minutes.
3. Quickly ladle hot dandelion jelly into 4 hot sterilized pint jars leaving ¼-inch of headspace.  Wipe the rims of the jars and add lids that have been washed and dried. Add screw bands and tighten until fingertip-tight.

To Can Dandelion Jelly

If you plan to eat the jelly within several weeks, keep it in the refrigerator (or freeze). However, if you want the jelly to last up to a year, you’ll need to “can” or process the jars under high heat. Here’s how:

1. Place jars on a rack in a boiling water bath canner and make sure they are completely covered with water (1 to 2 inches above the jars). Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
2. Process ½ pint and 8 oz jelly jars for 10 minutes.
3. Remove canner lid waiting 5 minutes, then remove the jars to a towel on the counter and cool for 12 to 24 hours.
4. Test sealing of jars by pressing lightly in the lid’s center and store sealed jars. Any jars that don’t seal may be refrigerated and used.